Prestwich progressed to the next round despite being reduced to 10 men for more than an hour after centre half Richard Steadman was dismissed on 22 mins for a professional foul.
A scrappy opening period saw Prestwich on top but not really playing with the fluidity that we’ve become used to, with too many miss-placed passes and cheaply conceded possession. Nonetheless chances were being created and they looked the most likely side to take the lead.
First Aldair Victorano who had a fine game at right back dovetailing nicely with Martin Hill went on a terrific run using his strength to ride several challenges before getting clean through on goal, but the keeper judged the angle well to save with his feet.
Then Steve Murty worked his way through on the left only for the keeper to make a similar block. It was only temporary respite though because on 13 minutes a neat link up between Hill and Murty again saw Murty through on goal and this time the finish was unerring low into the right hand corner from 8 yards out.
Prestwich weren’t having it all their own way though, Wardle clearly had a goal threat in particular from their left side taking advantage of Victorano’s attacking instincts which did leave vulnerability at times.
An innocuous looking move from that side saw the ball running across goal some 25 yards out from goal but with Steadman set to make what appeared to be a routine clearance, his miscued air shot left a Wardle striker in behind him and through on goal, opting to ‘take one for the team’ Steadman crudely brought him down and was duly dismissed, fortunately the ensuing free kick came to nothing.
Whilst never exactly hanging on Prestwich’s profligacy in front of goal combined with the Wardle keepers excellent positional sense made for a nervy affair, David Prieto, Hill, Murty, and Sean Haslam all had chances to make the game safe but with no second goal coming the tension mounted.
Having worked prodigiously hard for so long as a lone striker Haslam gave way to Thompson who also had chances but still the stress relieving goal didn’t come, but with Ross Salmon operating in the area vacated by Steadman and Darren Buckley in midfield particularly outstanding in calmly dictating the pattern of the game Prestwich saw the game out.
The win brings a mouth-watering encounter against old adversaries Old Boltonians in the next round, it will be incredibly tough but offers a great opportunity to see exactly how far the side has come on this season.
